I couldn't resist buying a couple of blanks during NFC's last sale. I bought their Gamma Beta 7 & 11wt blanks. Just looking for thoughts about my build plans.

The 7wt I'm thinking of going with an Alps titanium TIMXN 16 stripper followed by a 10 & then (7) #3 or #4 REC single foot RFSX's plus tip top. This rod will be used for bones & throwing mice for Alaskan trout.

The 11wt I'm thinking of going with an Alps titanium TIMXN 20 stripper followed by a 12 & then (7) #4 or #5 REC double foot RFNX's plus tip top. This rod will be primarily used for tarpon anywhere from 40-130lbs.

I'm pretty set on doing CF grips & fighting butts on both. I also really like the Alps R-CAH LXL2 Fly Seat that I used on my last build.

Thanks for any input.
Fred

I think #3 running guides are all you will need in single foots. I haven't found the species I am after makes much if any difference, as long as lines and leaders stay within a sane level. Any trout that is chasing mice will love Dahlberg Divers too.

Your build plans seem fine to me, though I question your number of running guides.

Just my personal choice, but I go with double foot snake type guides on my fly rods over 6 wt, so a 7wt would be on the bubble for me. If you go single, I think you are fine, but I would use a locking wrap. I think size 3 single foot running guides is plenty large for a 7wt.

RFSX are good guides. Their bendiness makes them a bit harder to tape or hold down on the blank, and to secure on the first few wraps up the foot. A non-sanded blank makes this a bit more difficult as well. Double foot is easier as you have two points to tape or rubber band down. You may get a slight harmonic from Recoil guides depending on the line you use. If it is a textured line, my experience is it will make some noise.

I think you would be looking at 11 guides on your builds plus tip top, and you seem to indicate 9.

Have fun.

david taylor Wrote:
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> Your build plans seem fine to me, though I
> question your number of running guides.
>
> Just my personal choice, but I go with double foot
> snake type guides on my fly rods over 6 wt, so a
> 7wt would be on the bubble for me. If you go
> single, I think you are fine, but I would use a
> locking wrap. I think size 3 single foot running
> guides is plenty large for a 7wt.
>
> RFSX are good guides. Their bendiness makes them
> a bit harder to tape or hold down on the blank,
> and to secure on the first few wraps up the foot.
> A non-sanded blank makes this a bit more difficult
> as well. Double foot is easier as you have two
> points to tape or rubber band down. You may get a
> slight harmonic from Recoil guides depending on
> the line you use. If it is a textured line, my
> experience is it will make some noise.
>
> I think you would be looking at 11 guides on your
> builds plus tip top, and you seem to indicate 9.
>
> Have fun.

David,
I miscounted the number of guides off NFC's guide spacing chart. NFC calls for 10 guides plus tip top. Do you feel 11 would still be better?

I see 9 + tip on their chart? That's what I have used on several and works well, but I know others prefer a few more.

Al Jones Wrote:
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> I see 9 + tip on their chart? That's what I have
> used on several and works well, but I know others
> prefer a few more.

Al you are correct, NFC shows 9 guides plus tip top on both LMX GB's. I mistook the tip top size in the chart for a guide position.

Sorry, my bad, I looked at the wrong rod number, and I had built two 9' FAF LMX rods which have 10 plus tip top. I would go with the NFC recommendation, though I am a bit surprised the GB have fewer guides than the FAFLMX. I guess that's due to being stiffer